NO fewer than 10 people lost their lives while property worth millions of naira was destroyed as hostilities returned to Ajah town in Lagos State.
Fifteen of the hoodlums who perpetrated the destruction have, however, been arrested by men of the state police command
Places razed during the early morning attack by the hoodlums included the town�s main market, properties belonging to those believed to be opposed to the activities of the hoodlums as well as the palace of the traditional ruler of the town.
The town in the last few years has not known peace as two factions have engaged each other in a fight over ownership of a parcel of land in the town.
Nigerian Tribune investigations revealed that the Thursday mayhem started as early as 6.00 a. m. when hoodlums invaded the town and destroyed properties belonging to their opponents.
The hoodlums, according to a source, were claiming ownership of all the land in the town and had, on Thursday morning, wanted to forcefully take over what they claimed was theirs.
Mostly affected by the activities of the hoodlums were school children and workers who were going to their different places of work when the hoodlums struck.
The over 100 hoodlums, who were said to be armed with guns, machetes, knives, broken bottles and charms, took control of the town and residents were subjected to hardship.
The Public Relations Officer of the state police command, Mr. Olubode Ojajuni, a Superintendent of Police, while confirming the incident, however, told the Nigerian Tribune that nobody died in the fracas.
Ojajuni also claimed that normalcy had since returned to the town. He said there was heavy police presence in different parts of the town and confirmed the arrest of 15 hoodlums.
He also informed the Nigerian Tribune that two of the hoodlums who were arrested on a motorbike with cans of petrol had made useful statements to the police.
As at press time, the traditional ruler of Ajah, Chief Fatai Olumegbon, was at the state police command�s headquarters on the invitation of the state police commissioner.